Posts Made By: Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Mars on January 2-3, 2006 (23:50 and 00:30 U.T., respectively) under average to good seeing conditions (5-7/10). A good amount of detail may still be noted over the planet if one is patient. Hellas appeared very bright (8/10) towards the preceding limb. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): January 2-3, 2006
Time (U.T.): 23:50 (left image) and 00:30 (right image)
CM: 351.2 (left image) and 001.0 (right image)
Ls 350.6, De -18.5, Ds -3.9, p 0.91, 11.8"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 271x, and 348x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4-5

Notes:
23:50 U.T. (Left image, Jan. 2, 2006, 351.2): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was not visible at this time. Mare Australe appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10). Sinus Sabaeus and Sinus Meridiani appeared dark (3/10) and prominent on the CM. Deucalionis Regio appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). The preceding (eastern) half of Pandorae Fretum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and it's following (western) half dull (5/10). Hellespontus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10). Noachis appeared dusky to shaded (4-6/10) and mottled. Syrtis Major was visible on the preceding limb and appeared dark to dull (3-5/10) with bright to very bright (7-8/10) haze over it. Iapygia Viridis appeared dusky (4/10) and mottled. Hellas appeared very bright (8/10. connecting to an extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH). Aeria, Arabia, Moab, and Eden appeared bright (7/10). Mare Acidalium (3-5/10) was partially obscured by a bright to very bright (7-8/10) haze over the north-following limb. Mare Erythraeum and Margaritifer Sinus appeared dark to dull (3-5/10) towards the following limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar Region (NPR), and South Polar Region (SPR) were visible as well.

00:30 U.T. (Right image, Jan. 3, 2006, CM 001.0): A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud (haze) was visible over Hellas. Sinus Sabaeus, Sinus Meridiani, and Mare Erythraeum appeared dull (5/10). Noachis appeared shaded (6/10). Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH, NPR, and SPR were visible.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made a naked eye observation of the waxing crescent Moon (6.74 days old) on January 6, 2006 at 04:20 U.T. The Moon was approximately 6.5 degrees above the western horizon with the presence of thin, wispy clouds which added an eerie effect to the scene. It was a very impressive sight. I made a digital rendition of what I observed. I hope that you all like it.

I made an observation of Mars on January 15, 2006 (00:20 and 00:45 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (4-5/10, with very brief moments of 6/10). Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum were prominent on the CM. A very bright (8/10) cloud was visible over Hellas. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): January 15, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:20 (left image) and 00:45 (right image)
CM: 245.4 (left image) and 251.4 (right image)
Ls 356.7, De -17.3, Ds -1.4, p 0.90, 10.4"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 271x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow and W38A
Seeing (1-10): 4-5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes.
00:20 U.T. (Left image, CM 245.4, Klee OPS Barlow): An extremely bright (9/10) South Polar Haze (SPH) was visible (the South Polar Cap (SPC) was not visible). Mare Chronium appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding the CM. Eridania and Ausonia appeared bright (7/10). Hellas appeared very bright (8/10) over the south-following limb. Mare Cimmerium appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) preceding the CM. Hesperia appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10). Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM. Syrtis Major appeared dull (5/10) and obscured by very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze over the following (morning) limb. Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). The Hyblaeus Extension appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) on the CM towards the northern limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), and a North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.

00:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 251.4, W38A): Mare Cimmerium, Mare Tyrrhenum and Mare Chronium appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10). A very bright (8/10) cloud (haze) was noted over Electris over the south-preceding limb. A very bright (8/10) cloud (haze) was noted over Hellas over the south-following limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), South Polar Haze (SPH), and a North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.

The best of luck imaging and observing Mars as it becomes smaller in apparent size.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I was walking my dog this morning (07:15 AM, 12:15 U.T.) and noted a beautiful waning crescent Moon (26 days old) towards the southeast. It was visible amongst interesting clouds (alto-stratus?). I made a rendering of it. I hope that you like it.

The best of luck in your own naked-eye and telescopic observations.

Carlos

I made a pair of observations of Mars on February 19, 2006 (00:45 and 01:05 U.T.) using two excellent instruments (6" F/15 Refractor and a 10" F/9 Newtonian) belonging to a friend (Michael Palermiti, Jupiter, Florida). The apparent diameter of the planet was small (7.6"), but I was able to pick out detail when the seeing steadied for brief moments at a time. The red planet stills continue to provide views for us earthlings. I welcome any comments on my observations.

Date (U.T.): February 19, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:45 (left image) and 01:05 (right image)
CM: 297.5 (left image) and 282.3 (right image)
Ls: 013.9 (Early Northern Spring/Southern Autumn)
De: -11.3, Ds: 5.8, p 0.89, 7.6"
Instrument: 6" F/15 Refractor (left image) and 10" F/9 Newtonian (right image)
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 6

Notes:
00:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 297.5, 6" F/15 Refractor): Mare Cimmerium appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) preceding the CM. Hesperia appears as a light (7/10) division between Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum. Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM. Mare Chronium appears dusky (4/10) preceding the CM towards the South-preceding limb. Eridania and Ausonia appear shaded to bright (6-7/10). Mare Hadriacum appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the eastern (preceding) border of Hellas (8-9/10). Iapygia Viridis appears dusky (4/10) and Syrtis Major dark to dusky (3-4/10) towards the following limb. Aeolis and Aethiopis appears bright (7/10). Libya appears bright to very bright (7-8/10, haze?). Very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze is visible over the south polar, preceding (evening), north polar, and following (morning) limbs.

01:05 U.T. (Right image, CM 282.3, 10" F/9 Newtonian): The above description (00:45 U.T.) applies to this observation with the addition of a greater clarity of albedo features. The Hyblaeus Extension (4-5/10) was visible towards the northern limb. The preceding (eastern) portions of Hellespontus (4/10) and Sabaeus Sinus (3/10) were visible over the following limb.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made a pair of Saturn observations on February 19, 2006 (01:30 and 02:00 U.T,) using two excellent instruments (6" F/15 Refractor and a 10" F/9 Newtonian) belonging to a friend (Michael Palermiti, Jupiter, Florida). The amount of detail visible over the globe and rings was difficult to render. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observations.

Date (U.T.): February 19, 2006
Time (U.T.) 01:30 (top image) and 02:00 (bottom image)
Top Image: L1 094.1, L2 323.6, L3 074.8
Bottom Image: L1 111.7, L2 340.5, L3 091.7
De: -19.5, Ds: -18.5, Dia. (Globe): 20.2"
Instrument: 6" F/15 Refractor (top image) and 10" F/9 Newtonian (bottom image)
Magnification: 182x (top image) and 450x (bottom image)
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 7-8, Antoniadi (I-V): II
Transparency (1-6): 6

Notes:
01:30 U.T. (Top image, L1 094.1, L2 323.6, L3 074.8, 6" F/15 Refractor): The South Polar Region (SPR) appeared to consist of a tan-colored center surrounded by a light pastel olive-green collar (it's northern border appeared darker). The region between the South Temperate Zone (STZ) and the South Tropical Zone (STrZ) appeared a yellow mustard color and mottled (especially during very steady seeing). The South Equatorial Belt (SEB) appeared light to dark brown in color with a thin, bright zone dividing the belt into two components (SEB-N and SEB-S). The Equatorial Zone (EZ) appeared a light yellow mustard color, but no other detail visible within. The North Polar Region (NPR) appeared tan colored.
Ring A: Appeared shaded (6/10) and with hints of the Encke Minima visible (not always held).
Ring B: The inner half of the ring was dusky (4/10) whereas the outer half was bright (7/10).
Ring C (Crepe): Appeared dusky and thin.

02:00 U.T. (Right image, L1 111.7, L2 340.5, L3 091.7, 10" F/9 Newtonian): The above description (01:30 U.T.) is applicable to this one, but the features noted were easier to resolve. A truly spectacular sight!

The best of luck imaging and observing the ringed planet.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

P.S. The shadow of the globe on the rings should be over the right side of the planet instead of the left. I flipped it around while scanning.

I made an observation of Jupiter on February 23, 2006 at 06:40 U.T. under average to good seeing conditions (6-7/10). The planet displayed much detail and color. An interesting South Tropical Zone Disturbance (STrZD) was note over the south-preceding portion of the disk. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Date (U.T.): February 23, 2006
Time (U.T.): 06:40
L1 041.5, L2 170.3, L3 289.0
De: -3.2, Ds: -3.0, 38.8" (equatorial)
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4-5 (Haze)

Notes:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled.
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appears shaded to bright (6-7/10) and incomplete.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and it's preceding half appears to deviate towards the south due to a South Tropical Zone Disturbance (STrZD).
South Tropical Zone Disturbance (STrZD): Appears over the south-preceding portion of the disk as a dark to dusky (3-4/10) thin band with a thin, bright (7/10) midsection. The following end of the disturbance was timed at L2 184.8 (or L3 303.5).
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appears bright with the South Tropical Zone Disturbance (STrZD) as described above.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a bright (7/10) undulating zone (SEB-Z) over it's midsection.
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appears bright (7/10) with a thin, dull (5/10) band across it's midsection. North Equatorial Belt (NEB) festoon projections are noted over it's northern half, especially following the CM.
North Equatorial Belt (NEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a thin, bright (7/10) zone (NEB-Z) over it's midsection. Dark (3/10), bluish-gray festoons are noted over it's southern border. It's northern border, on the CM, appears to project into the North Tropical Zone (NTrZ).
North Tropical Zone (NTrZ): Appears bright (7/10) without any other detail within.
North Polar Region (NPR): Appears dark to dull (3-5/10) with thin, dusky (4/10) bands and condensations within it (mottled).

The best of luck imaging and observing Jupiter.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Saturn on February 23, 2006 at 05:50 U.T. under good seeing conditions (7-8/10). The globe and rings exhibited a significant amount of detail as shown. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): February 23, 2006
Time (U.T.) 05:50
Top Image: L1 203.9, L2 298.3, L3 044.5
De: -19.6, Ds: -18.5, Dia. (Globe): 20.2"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 7-8, Antoniadi (I-V): II
Transparency (1-6): 4-5

Notes:
05:50 U.T. (L1 203.9, L2 298.3, L3 044.5): The South Polar Region (SPR) appeared to consist of a tan-colored center surrounded by a light pastel olive-green collar. The region between the South Temperate Zone (STZ) and the South Tropical Zone (STrZ) appeared a yellow mustard color and mottled (especially during very steady seeing). The South Equatorial Belt (SEB) appeared light to dark brown in color with a thin, bright (7/10) zone dividing the belt into two components (SEB-N and SEB-S). The Equatorial Zone (EZ) appeared bright (7/10, a light yellow mustard color), but no other detail visible within. The North Polar Region (NPR) appeared tan colored.
Ring A: Appeared shaded (6/10), but no other detail noted within.
Ring B: The inner half of the ring was dusky (4/10) whereas the outer half was bright (7/10). Thin, dull (5/10) divisions were noted over the outer half.
Ring C (Crepe): Appeared dusky (4/10) and transparent.

The best of luck imaging and observing the ringed planet.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Jupiter on March 1, 2006 at 07:00 U.T. under average seeing conditions (5/10, brief moments of 6-7/10). The North Equatorial Belt (NEB) and the South Equatorial Belt (SEB) exhibited much detail as shown. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): March 1, 2006
Time (U.T.): 07:00
L1 282.3, L2 005.2, L3 125.5
De: -3.3, Ds: -3.0, 39.5" (Equatorial)
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 5 (6-7), Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3 (Hazy)

Notes:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled.
South South Temperate Zone (SSTZ): Appears shaded to bright (6-7/10) and thin.
South South Temperate Belt (SSTB): Appears dusky (4/10) and thin.
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appears bright (7/10), but no other detail noted within.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10), but no other detail noted within.
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appears bright (7/10), but no other detail within.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a dark (3/10), central section that expands in latitude towards the south and west (following). A bright (7/10), irregular zone (SEB-Z) appears to flow around the central dark section towards the south.
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appears bright (7/10) with dusky to dull (4-5/10) projections from NEB-S festoons over it's following half.
North Equatorial Belt (NEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and contains a bright (7/10) zone (NEB-Z) over it's midsection. Dark (3/10), bluish-gray festoons are noted over the southern border (NEB-S).
North Tropical Zone (NTrZ): Appears bright (7/10) without any other detail visible.
North Polar Region (NPR): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled. A bright (7/10) zone appears within it.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Jupiter.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Mars on March 27, 2006 (00:40 and 01:00 U.T.) under good seeing (6-7/10) seeing conditions. Although subtending an apparent diameter of only 5.9 arc-seconds I was able to make some detail over the Martian surface and atmosphere. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): March 27, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:40 (left image) and 01:00 (right image)
CM: 290.2 (left image) and 295.1 (right image)
Ls: 30.7 (Mid-Northern Spring/Southern Autumn)
De: -2.9, Ds: 12.4, p: 0.90, Dia: 5.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filter: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V) II
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
00:40 U.T. (Left image, CM 290.2, Klee OPS Barlow): Syrtis Major (3-4/10) and Iapygia Viridis (4/10) were visible on the CM. Mare Tyrrhenum (3-4/10) and Syrtis Minor (4/10) were noted towards the preceding limb. Hellas appeared as a shaded to bright (6-7/10), oval feature preceding the CM towards the south-preceding limb. Hellespontus (3-4/10) and Pandorae Fretum (4/10) were visible towards the south-following limb. Sabaeus Sinus (3-4/10) was visible towards the following limb. The North Polar Cap (NPC) was brilliant (10/10) and visible over the northern limb.

01:00 U.T. (Right image, CM 295.1, W38A): Bright to extremely bright (7-8/10) aerosols (clouds?) were visible over Hellas and the preceding limb. The northern, morning (following), southern, and evening (preceding) limbs appeared extremely bright (9/10). The NPC was brilliant (10/10) over the northern limb.

The best of luck imaging and observing the red planet.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez